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Foreign Minister Penny Wong and other senior ministers have arrived in Papua New Guinea for high-level talks with the island nation.
Trade and national security are expected to be high on the agenda at the Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby today.
The visit to the hotly contested Pacific region comes as China’s second-highest-ranking politician – Premier Li Chung – leaves Australia after a whirlwind tour that helped restore trade ties.
Last December, Australia and PNG signed a landmark security agreement.
Ahead of the visit, Wong said the attendance of senior ministers – including Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles – showed the importance Australia placed on engaging with PNG.
“The relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea is based on our shared history, our close geography and our shared values,” she said.
The talks will be co-chaired by Wong and PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko.
Home Affairs Minister Claire O’Neill, Pacific Affairs Minister Pat Conroy and Agriculture Minister Murray Watt will also attend the forum.
Marles said PNG was one of Australia’s closest and most vital defense partners.
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